Is Chloral Hydrate Safe in Breastfeeding

Question

I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Chloral Hydrate? Is Chloral Hydrate safe for nursing mother and child? Does Chloral Hydrate extracts into breast milk? Does Chloral Hydrate has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Chloral Hydrate influence milk supply or can Chloral Hydrate decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?

Chloral Hydrate lactation summary

Chloral Hydrate usage has low risk in breastfeeding

DrLact safety Score for Chloral Hydrate is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Chloral Hydrate may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
Our study of different scientific research indicates that Chloral Hydrate may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Chloral Hydrate low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
While using Chloral Hydrate We suggest monitoring child for possible reactions. It is also important to understand that side effects vary largely based on age of breastfed child and time of medication in addition to dosage.
Score calculated using the DrLact safety Version 1.2 model, this score ranges from 0 to 8 and measures overall safety of drug in lactation. Scores are primarily calculated using publicly available case studies, research papers, other scientific journals and publically available data.

Answer by Dr. Ru: About Chloral Hydrate usage in lactation

Sporadic use is harmless. (Used as a hypnotic drug for non painful procedures: CAT, EEG, MRI, etc. A repetitive use may be a cause of somnolence. Not commercially available in Spain as a sedative or hypnotic drug. American Academy of Pediatrics: Maternal Medication Usually Compatible With Breastfeeding.

Answer by DrLact: About Chloral Hydrate usage in lactation

Short-term or occasional use of chloral hydrate during breastfeeding is unlikely to adversely affect the breastfed infant, especially if the infant is older than 2 months. Because the active metabolite of chloral hydrate has a long half-life, other sedative-hypnotics are preferred for long-term use during breastfeeding, especially while nursing a neonate or preterm infant. Monitor the infant for excessive drowsiness.

Chloral Hydrate Side Effects in Breastfeeding

An old review article states that if an infant is breastfed within 45 minutes of a maternal dose of chloral hydrate while she is taking 1.5 grams twice daily, the infant will fall into a prolonged, restless sleep.[3] A single maternal rectal dose of 1.3 grams chloral hydrate in 50 women was stated to not adversely affect their breastfed newborn infants.[1] Minimal morning sedation occurred in a 5-month-old breastfed infant whose mother was taking 1.3 grams of dichloralphenazone (equivalent to about 1 gram of chloral hydrate) every evening plus chlorpromazine 100 mg 3 times daily. The infant's overall development was said to be normal at 3 months of age.[2]